Desktop Vs Client Server Vs Web Application Testing

The software applications are being designed and developed, specifically, to function in different environment & domains such as desktop applications, client server applications and web applications.

Each of these applications pertains to different domains and they all need to be tested uniquely and differently. Let’s go, through each of these applications to have a better view of the differences.

Desktop Application Testing

What is Desktop application:

It's a standalone application, which runs on the desktop machine and does not require any need of client and server.

Requirements:

At least one computer system or workstation is needed to run the application.

Examples:

MS-Word, MS-Excel, MS-Power-point, Adobe Acrobat Reader, etc.

What needs to be tested:

The major focus during testing the desktop applications should be on functionality, GUI feature, Load, backend (database) along with the memory leaks issue.

Suitable testing techniques:

Testing of desktop applications may be carried out using following testing methods:

Usability Testing

Functional Testing

Security Testing

Regression Testing

Compatibility Testing

Load Testing

Performance Testing

Client Server Application Testing

What is Client Server Application:

Applications having two components, one (the main application) resides at the server site and other(exe.) at the client site where the exe. application on client machine or system is being used to access the main application at the server site.

Requirements:

At least one server for loading the application and one client machine or system for running the executable (exe.) application.

Examples:

FTP, E-mail, Web Browsers, Gateway, Microsoft.NET

What needs to be tested:

Functionality & GUI feature both at client and server side, Load and performance aspects, interoperability & interaction between the client and the server, back-end.

Suitable testing techniques:

Following testing types may be used for testing the client server applications:

User interface testing

Manual testing

Configuration testing

Interoperability testing

Compatibility testing

Functionality testing

Desktop Application Testing

What is Desktop application:

It's a standalone application, which runs on the desktop machine and does not require any need of client and server.

Requirements:

At least one computer system or workstation is needed to run the application.

Examples:

MS-Word, MS-Excel, MS-Power-point, Adobe Acrobat Reader, etc.

What needs to be tested:

The major focus during testing the desktop applications should be on functionality, GUI feature, Load, backend (database) along with the memory leaks issue.

Suitable testing techniques:

Testing of desktop applications may be carried out using following testing methods: